For tracks that will host major events, certain necessary supporting facilities should be planned during construction of the track. Planning for these things, even if they aren’t immediately installed, makes preparing a track for an event much easier and less expensive.
Such structures include:
• A start arch, mounted on the start hill
• A finish arch, mount over the finish line
• Cable conduits to allow cross-track cable runs (TV cables, power, and timing)
• Allowance for transponder timing loops under the finish line and at intermediate timing points
• Other structures Start Arch
The start arch is normally a metal scaffolding structure which holds up the start banner. It can also include a roof to shelter the riders and staff from sun and rain.
Requirements
• The lowest clearance above the highest part of the starting gate must be at least 2.5m. This allows a good view of the riders on the gate, and ensures that even the tallest rider can get onto the gate without having to duck.
• The start arch must be installed and certified by the company that provides it. All liability concerning the installation of the start arch must be accepted by the provider. The provider must indicate the maximum safe wind-speeds such that:
o The start banner can be attached to it
o That people can be present under or around it, whether the banner is attached or not
A well-designed start arch. This arch is bolted directly into the concrete pad that forms the top of the start hill.
Finish Arch
The finish arch is normally a metal scaffolding structure erected over the finish line. It supports the finish banner as well as key elements of the timing system, such as photo finish cameras, or even an electronic scoreboard.
Requirements
• The lowest part of the finish arch (or scoreboard hung beneath it) must be a minimum of 3m clearance over the track surface.
• The legs of the finish arch must be a minimum of 75cm past the outside edge of the boundary lines along the finish straight. This is necessary in order to reduce the risk of a collision in case a rider is pushed out.
• The legs of the finish arch much be padded.
• The finish arch must be installed and certified by the company that provides it. All liability concerning the installation of the finish arch must be accepted by the provider. The provider must indicate the maximum safe wind-speeds such that:
o The finish banner can be attached to it
o That people can be present under or around it, whether the banner is attached or not
Cable Conduits
Cable conduits allow cables needed for events to run across the infield, underneath the track surface. Doing so shortens the length of the cable runs needed to prepare the infield for a major event. Otherwise, extra cable is needed as runs have to follow the access paths between the straights. Cables are not allowed to cross the riding surface of the track.
Conduit ends that are raised above grade level such as those pictured above must not be within 2m of the riding surface of the track; also, they must not be in the middle of access pathways. It is better if the ends are cut flush with the surface of the ground.
Transponder Timing Loops
Timing transponders are always used during major events as part of the timing system. One or more detection loops, consisting a thin loop of electrical wire, are installed across the track surface. The best way to install these is to embed a pair of 1cm thick plastic conduits no more than 50mm to 100mm below the track surface at each timing point, as pictured below. The two conduits for each timing point should be spaced 60cm apart.
Alternatively, a pair of narrow grooves can also be cut into the track surface (approximately 3mm wide each, placed 60cm apart) and filled with silicon paste after the wire has been installed in order to keep it in place.
In case the track surface at a timing point is concrete or asphalt, the cables can be laid directly on the track surface, and covered with a tape that has a high grip surface (such as skate-board deck tape).
A transponder timing loop installed across the track at an intermediate timing point. High grip tape was used to attach the wires to the track surface. This can be a good solution, as long as the tape has a high grip surface and sticks well to the track.
The surface of the tape is similar to that of skateboard deck tape.
Other Structures
Many other types of structures are needed in and around the venue to support a major event. These can include:
• Tents
• Temporary stages
• Portable offices
• Temporary grandstands
• Scaffolding structures for camera platforms, supports for a large display screen, et cetera
It is important that each of these structures is installed by the company that provides it, and is checked and certified as having been correctly installed.
As with start and finish arches, the maximum wind speed at which people can safely be in or around these structures should be provided by the supplier.